Hamburg, NY — Tony Too Tall ($6.20) didn’t come up short in Buffalo Raceway’s $15,500 Open Pace on Saturday evening (May 20), rallying to post a 1-1/4-length decision over Alta Engen A in 1:55 over a good track.

Tony Too Tall (Joseph Chindano Jr.) took the early lead, but Avion Seelster (Ray Fisher Jr.) wanted no part of a pocket trip and regained the edge just before the opening panel. After putting fractions of :28, :57.4 and 1:26 on the board, Avion Seelster had to deal with the first-over Alta Engen A (Kevin Cummings) turning for home. After going on even terms for over a quarter mile, something had to give in the stretch. With all eyes focused on Alta Engen A and Avion Seelster in battle, the pocket-sitting Tony Too Tall came into view and found plenty of room in the passing lane to roll to victory.

Tony Too Tall was the cornerstone of a driving grand slam for Joseph Chindano Jr. on Saturday at Buffalo Raceway. Bill Burke photo.

Owned by The Summer Wind Stable of New York Inc., the 7-year-old Tony Too Tall (Big Bad John-Lismaraslady) is trained by James Clouser Jr. The win upped his bankroll to $31,913 on the campaign and $409,314 in his lifetime.

In the $13,500 pace, Casimir Richie P (Chindano) left alertly from the inside post and never was in danger after that in registering a solid length victory over the favored Sportskeeper (Kevin Cummings) in a seasonal best 1:54.2.

After being scratched sick on May 6, Casimir Richie P ($5.80) showed he was feeling much better now. Protecting his pylon position off the starting gate, Casimir Richie P rolled to solid splits of :28.1, :57.2 and 1:26. Enjoying a two-length advantage at the top of the stretch, Casimir Richie P was just too strong to be caught as Sportskeeper could only pull within a length at the wire. Dunkin Beach (James McNeight Jr.) finished in third place, 7-1/4 lengths behind.

Owned by Michael Goldberg and trained by Teesha Symes, the 8-year-old Casimir Richie P (Astronomical-Casimir Huge) scored his fifth win in 13 starts this year. The win increased his 2023 earnings to $26,840 and $359,257 lifetime.

Chindano completed the evening with four victories while Kevin Cummings, David McNeight III and James McNeight Jr. each had doubles. Samuel Smith, David Russo and Chindano each registered a pair of training wins.

Racing at Buffalo will resume on Wednesday afternoon (May 24) at 2:30 p.m. with an 11-race program to be presented. For more information, including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.